In k-pop, music videos are nearly as important as the songs themselves. It’s become such a visual genre, regularly churning out glossy videos that look much more expensive than they are. Without focusing too much on the actual song (though it’s impossible to fully separate the two), here were the top ten visual moments of … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are here! We’re starting things off with the big one… the top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. Unlike last year, j-pop releases will be placed in their own countdown, … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are here! We’re starting things off with the big one… the top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. Unlike last year, j-pop releases will be placed in their own countdown, … Continue reading
The end of the year countdowns are here! We’re starting things off with the big one… the top 50 songs of the year! Each day this week, I’ll be counting down ten of the year’s best, until number one is revealed on Friday. Unlike last year, j-pop releases will be placed in their own countdown, … Continue reading
It was a night of emotional acceptance speeches, expensive set pieces and, of course, a little behind-the-scenes drama as well. The MAMA Awards are always an exciting, larger than life capper on the year of k-pop, and this year’s broadcast was strong in a number of ways. But as with all award shows dedicated to … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I’ll look back at my three favorite title tracks by k-pop artists. Unlike my end-of-year countdowns, jpop and Japanese releases by kpop artists are ineligible, though I will give the great ones a spotlight. For my top three tracks, I’ll take my own ratings into account, but there is a … Continue reading
Most of the time, a kpop group’s title track is the best song on their album. But sometimes b-side tracks deserve recognition, too. In the singles-oriented world of kpop, I wanted to spotlight some of these buried treasures and give them the props they deserve. Among BTS’s new album’s massive 15-track running order are solo songs … Continue reading
When it comes to k-pop’s evolution both domestically and internationally, BTS are in the driver’s seat. It’s been an absolute thrill to see them come back again and again with material that’s both friendly to pop radio and beguilingly artistic. Blood, Sweat & Tears (피 땀 눈물) is the latest in their continual reinvention, and … Continue reading
As a companion to my Top Ten Singles lists, it’s time to look at some of the best album tracks and b-sides from the best artists. BTS have become known as true albums artists, ensuring that the quality of their work goes far beyond their title tracks. Here are ten of the best examples. Honorable … Continue reading
I’m usually not one to care much for mixtapes. Now don’t get me wrong, I understand why rappers release them. Especially in the idol world, there isn’t often much opportunity for them to carry an entire song. Instead, they’re shoehorned into being one aspect of a track that usually has a lot more going on. Mixtapes shine … Continue reading
It’s that time of year again! 2016 marked my second KCON, with a super solid line-up of performers that caused the concert side of things to sell out, and skyrocketed attendance for the convention. The past three days were a series of definite highs and lows, so read on to hear my thoughts. Convention Let’s … Continue reading
Reviews of any sort represent a snapshot in time. I’d like to think that what I write about a song the day after its release ends up being what I think about it in the long term, and more often than not that’s the case. But certain songs have a way of creeping up on you … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I’ll look back at my three favorite title tracks by k-pop artists. Unlike my end-of-year countdowns, jpop and Japanese releases by kpop artists are ineligible, though I will give the great ones a spotlight. For my top three tracks, I’ll take my own ratings into account, but there is a … Continue reading
In just a few short years, BTS (Bangtan Boys) have risen to utter domination of the k-pop world, taking their initial hip-hop sound and fusing it to something more melodic and adventurous. They’re a group that has gradually worked their way up my own personal bias list, through the combination of their undeniably charming personalities … Continue reading
BTS’ Save Me has been around for two weeks now as part of their Young Forever repackage, so it has the benefit of time behind it. But, I wanted to wait until its music video had been released to review it. Before getting into the song, it’s worth noting just what a transformative and fully … Continue reading
Very few artists can get away with the sort of non-chorus hype track that I so often complain about in my reviews. Bigbang pulled it off with last year’s Bang Bang Bang, and BTS certainly did with the awesome Dope. Now, Bangtan is back with what feels like Dope‘s spiritual successor, in the form of … Continue reading
At the end of each month, I’ll look back at my three favorite title tracks by k-pop artists. Unlike my end-of-year countdowns, jpop and Japanese releases by kpop artists are ineligible, though I will give the great ones a spotlight. For my top three tracks, I’ll take my own ratings into account, but there is a … Continue reading
BTS’ The Most Beautiful Moment In Life project has been such a triumph on all levels, and now they’re taking a victory lap of sorts by releasing the trilogy’s finale. The actual album (and presumed title track) won’t be released until early May, but with Young Forever, they’ve surprised us with a taster of what’s … Continue reading
2015 was a year in which almost every major kpop group and soloist made at least one comeback. So who had the most influence over the kpop landscape? Who were the ultimate trend groups of the year? It’s impossible to answer with 100% accuracy, but I’m going to try my best! Male Group: BTS There … Continue reading
Okay, okay. When I say kpop, I mean mostly kpop, because there’s going to be some jpop and cpop in this list as well (some of it in very prominent positions), but “Top 50 K-Pop & J-Pop & C-Pop Songs of 2015” just doesn’t have the same ring to it! The only other criteria for … Continue reading
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 